Re: Re: Affero General Public License

[Nathanael Nerode <neroden@twcny.rr.com>]

Florian Weimer wrote:
> It seems that web.py does not include the source transmission facility
> mentioned in the AGPL.  As a result, the additional clause is void,
> and the license should be DFSG-free.

Unfortunately the clause is not void.
(1) This is a copyleft, so all derivative works must use the same license;
(2) unlike clause 2c which applies if the *modified* program satisfies certain 
conditions, clause 2d applies if the "Program as you received it" satisfies 
certain conditions

So if I create a derivative work of web.py ("webplus.py") which *does* include 
the facility mentioned in the AGPL, no subsequent derivative works of 
"webplus.py" can ever remove it.  This regardless of *my* desires as the 
author of the source transmisison facility!

This is pretty hideous.  I don't know if it's non-free, but I'd guess so.

Is there a way around it?  Dual-licensing my portions of "webplus.py" under a 
free license, and then distributing only in patch form (so that the 
recipients never receive "webplus.py" as a single work)?  No, that wouldn't 
allow binary distribution.

-- 
Nathanael Nerode  <neroden@twcny.rr.com>

Make sure your vote will count.
http://www.verifiedvoting.org/